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First commercial US-Havana flight lands as country mourn

Anne-Marie Garcia And Christine Armario, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Monday, November 28, 2016
1:43:23 EST PM

An American Airlines plane fluttering US and Cuba national flags is seen uppon arrival at Jose Marti International Airport becoming the first Miami-Havana commercial flight in 50 years, coinciding with the beginning of the tributes to late Cuban leader Fidel Castro, on November 28, 2016 in Havana. (YAMIL LAGEYAMIL LAGE/AFP/Getty Images)

HAVANA — Passengers erupted into applause as the first commercial flight from the United States to Havana in more than 50 years landed in Cuba, arriving as the island begins week-long memorial services for revolutionary leader Fidel Castro.

Cubans saluted the packed American Airlines flight by spraying water from firetrucks above the plane as it taxied along the runway at Jose Marti International Airport in honour of the inaugural voyage.

“It was very emotional for me,” said Jonathan Gonzalez, 31, a Cuban-American born in Miami who said it was his third time visiting the island.

Passengers wearing straw hats provided by American Airlines with the word “Cuba” on the back were greeted with welcome signs in various languages — but no music. The visitors are arriving at the same time that tens of thousands begin paying homage to Castro in Havana and a state-sanctioned ban on live music has hushed the capital’s usually festive nightlife.

“I’m intrigued to see how the city is after the death of Fidel Castro,” said Tamara Cara, 45, an education professional from Puerto Rico on the flight.

For years U.S. travellers to the island have had to go through burdensome charter flights with four-hour check ins. The U.S. and Cuba signed a deal in February to restore commercial air traffic, marking one of the most important developments since Presidents Raul Castro and Barack Obama announced they would restore diplomatic relations nearly two years ago.

President-elect Donald Trump has denounced Obama’s moves to open relations with the island. Adviser Kellyanne Conway told ABC’s “This Week” Sunday that nothing has been decided on Cuba, but said the U.S. is allowing commercial aircraft to do business with a repressive Cuban government and military.

Several other flights from the U.S. also were scheduled to arrive on Monday.

“We’ll see what will happen with the Trump administration,” said Alfredo Gonzalez, American Airlines’ director for the Caribbean. “We don’t know exactly what will happen but we can say that we are in Cuba, in the provinces, in Havana, and we will continue our service moving forward.”

American Airlines held a small celebration for the passengers in Miami before departing, serving typical Cuban staples like croquettes and cheese-filled pastries.

Gonzalez said he felt he was arriving at what will be a “difficult time” for the island but remained optimistic for the country’s future.